NY Orchid Show - So Exciting!!!

[DweamGoiL]

On Sunday, my 9 year old and I will be going to the NY Orchid show at our local botanical gardens. I am counting down the days with her. We both love the serenity of the gardens and having a more robust selection of orchids than what they normally carry is awesome. Right now, I have room for 2-3 more plants and I have been holding off from buying online so I can go to the show and select the plants I want....can't wait!!!!

[tucker85]

Have fun!

[Fairorchids]

Word of Caution:

Last time I went to the NY Botanical Garden OS, all the plants I saw for sale, were priced 2-3 times the normal retail price in a nursery.

If you have a car, take a ride to Silva, Waldor or Parkside; you will find nice selections at reasonable prices.

If you do not, it becomes harder. Silva has an open house event in June, perhaps you can find a ride with another orchid fanatic. Or, take a train and then a cab from the station.

[DweamGoiL]

I imagined that the orchids would be much more expensive, but no, no car so I am kind of stuck paying the markup for convenience. Last year, I found a couple of Paphs in the plant district around my job, but I had to go almost every week and stalk the stores to find them.

[Fairorchids]

Do you belong to any of the area Orchid Societies? They often have speakers, who bring plants for sale to the meetings (at a reasonable price level).

Full disclosure: I do some selling at NJ orchid shows, and when I do a speaking engagement.

My price list needs to be updated; should be available within a week or so if you are interested (variety of Paphs, small Vandaceous plus a few Cattleyas and Dendrobiums). I drive through NYC from time to time, so I might be able to drop off.

[Laserbeak]

Is this the one in the World Financial Center?

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by Laserbeak

Is this the one in the World Financial Center?

No, it is the one in the Botanical Garden (in the Bronx).

[cbuchman]

I'' be heading to the Botanical garden show this week too. I also find the orchids to very over priced. I agree with Fairorchids, check out the MOS at Manhattan Orchid Society Home Page They are great people and they often have plants for sale from their speakers.

[Paul]

Enjoy the show!

In addition to the suggestions above, if the plants you have in mind are very specific types (whether hybrids or species) then you might also benefit from:

1) Do some browsing on the internet. See if anyone is selling those particular chids and what their price is. If a seller has it and it is cheaper -- including with shipping -- then you very well will be better off buying online.

2) Assuming this is a show in which vendors from the surrounding areas attend -- check to see which vendors will be there. Then go to their site(s) and see if they have the plants you are looking for. If they do, then preorder the plants (not sure if you will also have to prepay) and have them bring them to the show for you. I know at the shows I attend, I have on several occasions preordered with a vendor. They then brought the plants with them sparing me from wasting money on shipping. In addition, I can then inspect the plants and turn down any that are substandard.

[Fairorchids]

Actually, many years ago the NY Botanical Garden show included outside exhibitors & vendors. These days it is all BG.

Plants for sale are are sold by the BG, but sourced from the same wholesalers most smaller resellers rely on. However, the BG mark-up is on a scale by itself.